clio 197, unloved bargain?
Discussion
Clio 197s seem to be getting really cheap. Seen a 43000 miler for £5495 on autotrader on an 07 plate, This seems very reasonable given that the cheapest 200 Cup is £4K more....I test drove a 197 when they came out and loved it, but the likes of EVO didnt rate it. So, is it worth taking a gamble on a cheap 197, or waiting until the 200 cups get cheaper, by which time the 197 will be under 3 grand no doubt!!
They tightened up the Chassis on the 200 and changed the suspension geometry. The 200 has the same PerfoHub suspension in the front as a Megane 250/R26. As a tracktoy, it's probably best holding out for a 200, but for a daily drive, the people I've spoken to with 197's are very happy.
We recently picked up a mint, fully optioned up, low mile 197 R27 - OK, its wasn't 5K cheap but being an R27 I'm hoping it'll hold its money pretty well.
I was in a similar situ, do we spend say 5-6K on a leggy 197 or pay nearer 10K for a newer 200. The 200's do seem to be dropping, and will continue to do so, but for 10K the 200 would be a total bogger with the standard (non recaro) seats, AND will continue to drop in value. (plus the 200 front end is ugly as hell IMHO)
I think for around 5K it may need some TLC, but you may be lucky and find a good one.
I was in a similar situ, do we spend say 5-6K on a leggy 197 or pay nearer 10K for a newer 200. The 200's do seem to be dropping, and will continue to do so, but for 10K the 200 would be a total bogger with the standard (non recaro) seats, AND will continue to drop in value. (plus the 200 front end is ugly as hell IMHO)
I think for around 5K it may need some TLC, but you may be lucky and find a good one.
framerateuk said:
They tightened up the Chassis on the 200 and changed the suspension geometry. The 200 has the same PerfoHub suspension in the front as a Megane 250/R26. As a tracktoy, it's probably best holding out for a 200, but for a daily drive, the people I've spoken to with 197's are very happy.
Perforhub /dual axis geometry on the 197 too. Debuted on the original 225 and appeared on all the hot Meganes and Clios since.Been keeping an eye on these as well. Was suprised how low some are going for!
I'd still be keeping the 182 Trophy as a thought in the back of my mind, though. Would love to drive one to see how they compare.
I would have one again in a heartbeat. If my Williams dies of rust and doesn't make it through the MOT next year, a 197 would be the obvious choice for me! Should be a fair bit cheaper as well by then.
I'd still be keeping the 182 Trophy as a thought in the back of my mind, though. Would love to drive one to see how they compare.
I would have one again in a heartbeat. If my Williams dies of rust and doesn't make it through the MOT next year, a 197 would be the obvious choice for me! Should be a fair bit cheaper as well by then.
framerateuk said:
They tightened up the Chassis on the 200 and changed the suspension geometry. The 200 has the same PerfoHub suspension in the front as a Megane 250/R26. As a tracktoy, it's probably best holding out for a 200, but for a daily drive, the people I've spoken to with 197's are very happy.
The r27 197 has the same suspension as the 200 doesnt it?Could've sworn I read that somewhere
MrQuick said:
framerateuk said:
They tightened up the Chassis on the 200 and changed the suspension geometry. The 200 has the same PerfoHub suspension in the front as a Megane 250/R26. As a tracktoy, it's probably best holding out for a 200, but for a daily drive, the people I've spoken to with 197's are very happy.
The r27 197 has the same suspension as the 200 doesnt it?Could've sworn I read that somewhere
PH said:
The Clio 200, like the 197 comes with an independent steering axis suspension set-up that Renaultsport has been using on the Megane for a while. Like the much heralded set-up Ford introduced recently on the Focus RS, it is designed to allow the steering axis to operate totally independently of the damping, significantly reducing torque-steer under hard acceleration.
‘We were a bit miffed when Ford came up with the name Revo-Knuckle for the suspension on the Focus RS, as we introduced our system on the Megane RS five years ago but without a catchy name so fewer people have heard about it,’ jokes Steve. In the 200, the set-up has been improved over the 197 with new alloy hub carriers and rose-jointed bushes to replace the top bearings.
‘We were a bit miffed when Ford came up with the name Revo-Knuckle for the suspension on the Focus RS, as we introduced our system on the Megane RS five years ago but without a catchy name so fewer people have heard about it,’ jokes Steve. In the 200, the set-up has been improved over the 197 with new alloy hub carriers and rose-jointed bushes to replace the top bearings.
I had a 197 cup for a couple of years. Great car on road and track. I seem to recall Tiff Needell doing a back to back test with a 182 trophy and the 197 was faster, mainly due to massive Brembo brakes and better traction. I would recommend it. I miss it's agility compared to my current TT RS.
R
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I stand corrected! I lot of the reviews on the 197 didn't even mention the perfohub suspension, yet they all seem to bring it up on the 200 reviews.
I still prefer the front end on the 200, mostly because the blade reminds me of my Megane, like it's little brother.
I think the 200 helped fix the flat spot on the engine too, though it's still pretty gutless in low revs.
I still prefer the front end on the 200, mostly because the blade reminds me of my Megane, like it's little brother.
I think the 200 helped fix the flat spot on the engine too, though it's still pretty gutless in low revs.
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